Episode
Blood on board: Lessons from Sacramento and LA County Fire
- Podcast
- EMS One-Stop
- Published
- May 14, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2729
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
EMS systems can safely deliver blood in the field, and when they do, patients who would otherwise die are surviving Whole blood in the field is no longer theoretical; it is operational, measurable and increasingly expected. In this EMS One-Stop episode, host Rob Lawrence brings together two of California’s leading medical directors — Drs. Clayton Kazan and Kevin Mackey — to compare and contrast their prehospital blood programs. From concept to deployment, both systems demonstrate how data, relationships and persistence can translate innovation into lives saved. This discussion goes beyond theory. It addresses real-world barriers — regulation, blood bank skepticism, funding gaps — and pairs them with practical solutions. The result is a clear message: EMS systems can safely deliver blood in the field, and when they do, patients who would otherwise die are surviving. For agencies considering similar programs, this episode provides a roadmap grounded in experience, outcomes and operational reality. Notable quotes “When there's someone who wants to see your program, talk about your program.” — Kevin Mackey “I kind of never believed it really possible to put it on a paramedic truck until I saw what the military was able to do.” — Clayton Kazan “If the five minutes matter, why wouldn’t we want to do it 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes sooner?” — Clayton Kazan “Never say ‘no,’ never say ‘die.’” — Kevin Mackey “They’re never tired of trying to find new ways to save people’s lives.” — Clayton Kazan Episode timeline 00:00 – Opening message. “Never say ‘no,’ never say ‘die’” sets the tone for program development and persistence 01:00 – Series introduction. Rob frames the episode as part of a broader national discussion on blood in EMS 02:00 – Guest introductions. Dr. Kazan and Dr. Mackey ou…